Abstract

The aqueous and alcoholic extracts of A,calamus reduced the severity of maximum electric shock induced seizures in rats but did not exhibit complete protection. Further, the extracts significantly increased the pentylenetetrazole induced seizure latency. the extracts did not exhibit any antidepressant or sedative effects nor produce muscle incoordination. Howerver, both the extracts potentiated the barbiturate induced hypnosis. Thus, administration of the extraacts for longer duration in combination with reduced doses of standard drug used for treating "petit mal" epilepsy may probe to be beneficial in these patients.